Providing Reference Services: A Practical Guide for Librarians

Providing Reference Services: A Practical Guide for Librarians was written with the working librarian in mind; it focuses on specific methods and information to help foster effective, exceptional results. Topics covered include:
Reference services: basic information and backgroundReference resources and tutorials Organizing and providing services Staffing and performance managementForming helpful partnerships (internal and external)The future of reference
Readers will come away with a solid foundation in reference services. They will have the knowledge to update or restructure an existing reference program, or to create a program from the ground up. Individual chapters and subsections provide constructive tips and advice for specific reference issues. Taken as a whole, this book provides a valuable, inclusive source of information for all major aspects of reference service.
Providing Reference Services is an appropriate resource for nearly all librarians in public-service positions, especially those with reference responsibilities, whether they are working reference librarians at any level of experience, reference supervisors, or administrators with oversight of reference services. The content is relevant to academic, public, school, and special libraries―any library or organization, in fact, that offers reference or research assistance.

John Gottfried is a faculty librarian and associate professor at Western Kentucky University. He is the Reference Services Coordinator and Business Librarian for WKU Libraries.

Katherine Pennavaria is a faculty librarian and professor at Western Kentucky University. She is the Coordinator of the Visual & Performing Arts Library (VPAL) for WKU Libraries.